Sharks set to play out cup quest on screen

SKY SPORTS have announced that three of Sale Sharks’ first four Heineken Cup games will be screened live. Sky will broadcast Sale’s game at Toulouse on Sunday October 11 (4pm), and their trip to Harlequins on Sunday December 13 (12.45pm).

SKY SPORTS have announced that three of Sale Sharks’ first four Heineken Cup games will be screened live.

Sky will broadcast Sale’s game at Toulouse on Sunday October 11 (4pm), and their trip to Harlequins on Sunday December 13 (12.45pm).

Sale’s game with Cardiff Blues will also be shown live from Edgeley Park on Friday October 16 (8pm).

Announcing the fixtures, Martin Turner, executive producer for rugby union at Sky Sports, said: "The Heineken Cup is Europe’s premier club rugby tournament, and it’s fantastic to be able to provide viewers with even more games to choose from, with every team being shown at least twice.

"Our extensive live match schedule and highlights, previews and analysis mean that we’re giving this tournament the coverage it deserves."

Sale’s director of rugby Kingsley Jones added, "It’s a tough start playing in the South of France against Toulouse and then at home to Cardiff Blues five days later, but we know that every game in this group will be tough.

"The Heineken Cup is the biggest cup competition of all and there are no easy games.

"We need to win all our home games and pick up points on our travels if we want to progress."

Derek McGrath, European Rugby Cup chief executive added: "With the quality of the teams competing packed with international players from across the globe, European rugby fans have a wealth of world-class rugby to look forward to when the 15th Heineken Cup kicks-off in October.

"Sky Sports’ innovative and comprehensive coverage of the Heineken Cup continues to drive the appeal of the tournament and fans will once more be spoilt for choice for live Heineken Cup action."

The Sale Sharks season ticket includes all three Heineken Cup home games against Cardiff, Harlequins and Toulouse along with all eleven Guinness Premiership home games and two Anglo Welsh Cup home games against Leeds Carnegie and Northampton.